Pretty sure I've been sold a lemon

[Minklet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Minklet]

Yeah I'm definitely keen to get stuck in. Tho I only have an outdoor car parking space so not ideal.

I'm gonna look into the tools I need and order the service manual, unless there's a pdf version of it around?

I'm happy to spend time and money on this car, I want to learn and get it into good shape. I know I come across as a bit of a hysterical tight arse, but it's more that I was told these jobs wouldn't cost much at all...but if I take it to a shop, they will, and it's eating into my budget.

Re the shocks, it's actually had a lift kit on it, so the shocks aren't that old by the looks of them. But maybe the bushings were cheap...or the entire kit is cheap.

And I've found some new genuine Toyota bushes for just over $200 on amayama so if I can get those fitted I would be happy.

Anyway, I appreciate the comments

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

That it has had a suspension change answers a couple of questions, if the lower shock bolt and control arms are tightened up WITHOUT weight on them they fail relatively quickly.
I would guess that is what has occurred with your vehicle. The trick is to have the Prado settled back on its wheels before torquing everything up, if you do a search for suspension installation you will find a lot of information regards what to do or not do.

Lee

[EddieF Member Find all posts View Profile Close EddieF]

I think only having an outside car park spot will be a challenge unless it is secure.
you may have to prioritise what needs doing and which you can do yourself. Also consider how much time you can afford to spend on it and whether you have alternative transport while it is up on stands.
consider getting the must fix items done by a mechanic so you can enjoy using the car.
optional mods is something that you can perhaps look at later?
just my two cents worth.

[carco Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close carco]

Mobile mechanic perhaps?

[Minklet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Minklet]

I think only having an outside car park spot will be a challenge unless it is secure.
you may have to prioritise what needs doing and which you can do yourself. Also consider how much time you can afford to spend on it and whether you have alternative transport while it is up on stands.
consider getting the must fix items done by a mechanic so you can enjoy using the car.
optional mods is something that you can perhaps look at later?
just my two cents worth.

I've managed to find a mate who has a visitors parking space in a covered lot, so hopefully I can use that to do most of these works. I'm ok with it being off the road, my plan is to spend the next 3 months preparing for my lap, and I ride my motorbike to work etc, so apart from wanting to take some trips down the south coast on the weekends, it's not a problem. I am more cash poor than time poor! I've ordered the Haynes manual, Im gonna order the bushings. I figure I might as well order some new cam bolts too while I'm at it?


Thanks for the tip

Leethal

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Is a mobile mechanic cheaper carco? I guess they have less overheads

[Guest Close Guest]

Pedders arent too badly priced then. Lots of times the cam bolts will be seized and need to be cut out.. You're in for a fun time if thats the case.. Job can turn into a nightmare pretty quickly.

[RPP Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close RPP]

If the auto trans has been leaking fluid i'd get the system checked by a specialist to be sure.
Did the mechanic test the engine? Might also be time for new injectors.
Otherwise, as carco says, I'd skip any serious long distance off-roading.
Prado's are great vehicles, but at 16 years and 260K of unknown kms on the clock you might feel much better after spending money on a good refit of the high wear parts before the big lap.

[Xerotao Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Xerotao]

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I really hope I'm not) but a car needs a roadworthy to renew rego in nsw right? Cos the rego was renewed just before I bought it.

I'm at work now and I don't think I was actually given the pink slip.

Edit: Ok so I just read that a roadworthy is a blue slip, not the pink slip. So I don't have one of those. Why the #### is this so complicated?

So if the cars rego just had the rego renewed then it would of passed roadworthy/pink slip.

Unless the car was purchased interstate, you wouldnt need a blue slip.
With a blue slip they check engine number and vin number
Pink slip/roadworthy they check brakes, lights and tyres.

You have a motorcycle im sure you understand right? I dont think iv ever been asked or given a pink slip when purchasing or buying a vehicle in NSW

[Minklet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Minklet]

Yeah but tbf the motorcycle pink slip is pretty much a joke, they beep the horn, have a look at the tyres and lights, and that's it. The last guy who did mine took all of 25 seconds while he had a tab on. I assumed it was harder for cars - plus I read somewhere that you need to produce a roadworthy cert if asked, but I don't think that applies in NSW. The problem is a lot of the information is out of date.

Got another quote back for $3k for the whole lot...$1k for the labour on the control arm bushings alone. 4 hours on the turbo oil pipe, which i'm pretty sure is a piss take. They seem to want to replace the entire assembly

So I'm ordering the bushings from amayama. I'm gonna get a bottle jack and some jack stands this week. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to replace the cam bolts at the same time. They don't look too rusted up, but thought it might be worthwhile? Hopefully the ball joint is ok. Interestingly the Haynes manual says the lower ball joint can't be replaced, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

I'm much happier this week, I managed to have a chat with the inspection mechanic and he told me he'd help - me out if I can the arms off and bring them to him he's got a press so we can do that. My blower motor is making noise, so need to take that out and inspect it for debris, hopefully it's not cracked. But apart from that I'm actually quite looking forward to doing the work. Cheers everyone for talking me off the ledge


also, is the website having problems or is it just me? All the styling has failed to load and it looks like a website from the 90s

[Xerotao Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Xerotao]

Yeah but tbf the motorcycle pink slip is pretty much a joke, they beep the horn, have a look at the tyres and lights, and that's it. The last guy who did mine took all of 25 seconds while he had a tab on. I assumed it was harder for cars - plus I read somewhere that you need to produce a roadworthy cert if asked, but I don't think that applies in NSW. The problem is a lot of the information is out of date.

Car pink slip is pretty much the same with a brake test. No need for a roadworthy cert when they are doing what is a roadworthy check.

[Xerotao Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Xerotao]

also, is the website having problems or is it just me? All the styling has failed to load and it looks like a website from the 90s

Site upgrade.
https://www.pradopoint.com.au/forum/...ade#post750691

[Minklet Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Minklet]

Right so something has a drain on the electrical system in this car, because my main battery is completely kaput. The headlight switch was on low, but the headlights definitely were not on when I last parked up. I park my motorbike in front of it and I saw they were off. So I'm not convinced it's that, but that is a definite culprit. I know the prado will kill the lights when you remove the key and get out.

The dual battery is about 12.6v tho. So either it's something that only the starter battery can power, the dual battery system is not wired correctly, or the starter battery just failed entirely. I've taken it out and put it on dumb charge (smart charger won't even recognise it) but chances are it's completely dead.